National named first female Executive Secretary for CIDI

Feb 8, 2013

Vaughna Sherry Tross, Executive Secretary for Integral Development

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 08, 2013 (SKNIS): National of St. Kitts and Nevis Vaughna Sherry Tross was recently confirmed by acclamation as the first female Executive Secretary for Integral Development, the largest secretariat within the Organization of American States (OAS).

Ms. Tross was appointed during the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) of the Organization of American States (OAS) on February 5.

At the meeting, St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the OAS Her Excellency Jacinth Henry-Martin, stated that Ms. Tross “is the embodiment of cool under pressure, a professional who successfully balances knowing how to execute her role, knowing when to ramp up or to play down her effortless grasp of a given situation. That blend of grace and capacity is born of dignified wisdom…, determination to do her personal and professional best.”

Ms. Tross’ confirmation attracted praises from all sub-regions of the Americas. Her professionalism, and leadership at the OAS Summits Secretariat, which she headed before her transfer, and her commitment to the OAS and to the advancement of the hemisphere and its peoples, were all highlighted.

“The leadership she is now called to demonstrate here requires an acceptance of the strategic importance our states accord sustainable integral development, along with the balancing of a realistic division of resources to effectively make the difference our states need and expect,” the Ambassador added. “My delegation is confident that she is up to the task, and pledges its continued fullest commitment and support. I am personally quite proud of Ms. Tross, and this pride is multiplied several times over in the hearts of the people of St Kitts and Nevis.”

“Her background speaks for itself, her expertise brought to bear on the institution that is now her professional home,” the Ambassador boasted. “The OAS has benefitted from Sherry’s robust experiential growth, her language skills, her zealous application to detail, and its confidence in her demonstrated capacity has led to more work as the Executive Secretary for Integral Development, and to great expectations of all states as she sits at the helm of this highly critical and very much in focus Secretariat.”

Ms. Toss now has direct responsibility for the management of all matters which relate to Integral Development, the OAS pillar which is most critical to developing vulnerable states such as St. Kitts and Nevis.